by L. P. Dover
“No,” I gasped. “I’m just saying I have a lot of connections.”
Smiling, he kissed me. “I don’t know all the famous people you do, but I can build you a dream home. That’s at least something, right?”
“I already have a dream home in Wyoming, Zac. Knowing you designed it makes it even more special.”
“What if we have a dozen kids?” he asked, “I’ll have to build us a new home then.”
I burst out laughing. “We’re not having twelve kids. Two, maybe three, but that’s it.”
He held me tighter and kissed me again. “I can’t wait to have a family with you, Clara. But if we have a girl who looks like you, I pity any boy who tries to get near her.”
“Good luck with that,” I said, patting his cheek. “If we do have a girl one day, she’ll have you wrapped around that little finger of hers.”
He groaned. “Yeah, you’re right. Hopefully, she won’t be as stubborn as you. I can’t handle two women like that in the same house.”
That made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes. “Oh, Zac. You just screwed yourself now. That’s exactly what you’ll get.”
Zac stared at me, his eyes gleaming mischievously. “Oh yeah? Want to know what you’re going to get?” He smiled over at the water, and before I could get away, he picked me up in his arms and threw me in the air. I screamed with surprise, and then held my breath as I went under the water. Zac jumped in after me, and we both laughed as he pulled me into his body.
“Will it always be like this?” I asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”
Smile fading, Zac shook his head. “No, it won’t,” but then he grinned, “it’ll be better.”
27
Clara
WEDDING DAY
* * *
The day had finally come and the weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding.
My mom, Trina, Lena, and Haven and I were secured in my dad’s office so we could finish getting ready without the guys seeing us. The groomsmen were outside, escorting people to their seats. Zac chose Drew, his dad, and Drew to stand up with him. We made a trip to New Orleans a few weeks ago so he could formally ask Drew to be a groomsman, and I could ask Haven to be a bridesmaid. Over the past two months, Haven and I got to know each other really well. She’d told me about all the heartbreaking talks she and Zac had together. It made my heart hurt, but it made me love him even more.
“What do you think the guys did last night?” Trina asked.
Haven giggled. “Probably something stupid.”
Laughing, I tore my gaze away from the window. Looking at all the guests started to make me nervous. I focused on Haven, who looked beautiful in her red, sleeveless bridesmaid’s dress with her dark hair in loose curls. “Your husband better not have challenged Zac to an MMA match. I know how they like to do that. I can see it now, him showing up with a black eye.”
Haven cringed. “God, I hope not. If he does, I’ll give my husband a black eye.”
I winked. “Deal.”
Trina stared over at me, and then looked down at her watch. “Shouldn’t we be helping you put on your dress?”
My stomach was too nervous for that. I needed a little more time. “Not yet. Feeling a little nauseous right now.”
Holding up her arms so my mother could zip her dress, Lena giggled. She had the cutest little baby bump. We’d waited until the last minute to get her bridesmaid’s dress because we didn’t know how big she was going to get. “You’re not pregnant, are you?” she asked, staring curiously at me.
My mother froze and turned her gaze my way. “Are you?”
Trina and Haven both rushed up to me, and Trina nudged Haven in the side. “I don’t know. She is kind of glowing.”
Haven nodded. “She is. Add that along with the nausea.”
Touching my stomach, I knew full well it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. I’d stopped my birth control pills right after we got engaged, but I was told it could take a while for it to get out of my system. Not to mention, not everyone can get pregnant easily.
My mother walked over and grabbed my hands. “Could you be pregnant?”
All the girls beamed at me, and I smiled. “Yeah, I could, but I didn’t think it’d happen this fast.” I was a few days late on my cycle, but I figured it was because I was off the pill and back to my irregular schedule.
Trina rushed over to her purse and pulled out her rental car keys. “I’m going to go get you a test.”
My mother gasped. “You can’t leave. The wedding’s starting soon.”
Trina pointed down at my stomach. “We can’t have her drinking wine if she’s pregnant. And if she’s not, then she needs to know she can party down tonight.”
Lena and Haven both nodded. “She has a point,” Haven agreed.
Trina waved and bolted to the door. “Be right back.”
There was a drug store only a mile away, so it wouldn’t take her long. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I paced the floor. Zac and I wanted to start a family soon, so it’d be a blessing if I was pregnant.
About fifteen minutes passed before Trina burst into the room, holding up the pregnancy test. “I got it.” She tossed it at me and pointed at the bathroom. “Go tinkle on it, girl.”
Taking a deep breath, I looked at them all, and my mother had tears in her eyes. “All right,” I said, “here we go.”
I went into the bathroom and did what I needed to do, setting the test on the counter when I was done. Instead of staring at it, I walked out. Everyone stood just outside of the door, waiting for the answer.
“Well?” my mother asked. “Are you pregnant?”
I bit my lip. “Don’t know. I’ll look at it right before I walk down the aisle. Right now, you guys have to help me into my dress.”
They looked bummed, but I didn’t want them being the firsts to know. My mother fetched my gown out of the office closet and she helped me into it. It was an A-line dress with crystal beading on the bodice and around the edges of my train. My garter was blue, my shoes were new, the antique bracelet on my wrist was old, and the tiara on my head was borrowed from Trina which went perfect with my updo.
A knock sounded on the door and it opened slightly. “Can I come in?” It was my dad.
My mother opened the door the rest of the way and he walked in, dressed to perfection in his black tuxedo. The chemo had taken his hair, but he was still as dashing as ever. When he saw me, his eyes filled with tears. “Oh, honey, you’re so beautiful.”
I hurried over and hugged him. “Thanks, Dad.”
“I’m just glad one of my wishes is coming true today.”
“Me too,” I murmured.
He let me go and focused on everyone else, tapping his watch when they looked at him. “It’s time, ladies.”
Trina nodded toward the bathroom. “When are we going to find out?”
My mother slapped her arm. “When she’s ready, Miss Impatient.”
Trina smiled and blew me a kiss. “You know I love you.” She gave me a hug, and so did Lena and Haven. Once they were gone, it was just me and my parents.
Blowing out a shaky breath, my mother placed her hands on my shoulders. “I love you. I’ll see you out there.” I hugged her hard, and then she kissed my father before walking out the door.
Brows furrowed, my dad glanced over at the bathroom and then at me. “What was Trina talking about?”
My stomach fluttered and I smiled. “Give me a second.” I took a step toward the bathroom, and then another. When I opened the door, I closed my eyes and walked in. The anticipation was part of the fun. I counted to three and opened my eyes. The answer was right there in front of my face.
“Clara? You ready?” my father called out.
I took one last look in the mirror. “I sure am.”
When I walked out of the bathroom, he held out his arm. I took it and we started on our way through the club to the double doors that led out to the golf course. Hole Nine was the m
ost gorgeous hole on the course with its own pond. The leaves had already turned into their fall shades, which made my dream of an autumn wedding come true.
There were rows of white chairs, filled with family and friends. Then at the end of it all was Zac. I couldn’t see anything else but him. When the harpist started playing “Canon in D,” it was our cue to walk. All of our guests stood and watched us. My father took a step, but I clenched his arm. He stopped and turned to me. “Honey, you okay?”
Everyone stared at us, but I couldn’t keep the secret from him. My time with him was precious and I wanted to enjoy every second I could with him. “I’m fine,” I said, taking his hands. “I have something I want to tell you.”
He looked a little unsure. “O-kay.”
Leaning over, I whispered in his ear, “I’m pregnant. You’re going to be a grandpa.” I stood back and he sucked in a breath, his eyes wide. Everyone stared at us, and I nodded toward the aisle. “Guess we should keep walking. I just wanted you to know before anyone else.”
He sniffled as we walked, and it took all I had not to cry with him. “I’m going to be a paw paw,” he murmured happily. “I can’t believe it. Another one of my wishes is coming true.”
Zac stared at us curiously, and when I looked over at my bridesmaids, they all knew what I’d told my dad by the excited expressions on their faces. Now all I needed to do was tell Zac before any of them did.
My dad let me go and kissed my cheek. “I love you, sweetheart. You’ve made me so happy today.”
“I love you, too.”
He took my hand and placed it in Zac’s. We faced each other, and our local preacher began his announcement. Zac leaned in close and smiled. “I was afraid you’d get cold feet.”
“Nope,” I whispered back. “You’re stuck with me.”
He shook his head. “Not stuck at all. This is the best day of my life.”
The preacher kept talking, and I used that as my opportunity. “Hopefully, it’s about to get even better.”
Zac’s gaze narrowed. “How’s that?”
I glanced down at my stomach and then back into his hazel eyes. “I’m pregnant.”
His mouth gaped in surprise, but then he pulled me into his arms and laughed between his many kisses. The preacher stopped and the crowd burst out in whistles and cheers. Zac kissed me again. “It did just get better. I didn’t think that’d be possible.”
The preacher chuckled. “Guess I know you’ll both be saying, ‘I do.’ Are we ready to begin?”
Zac and I stared at each other and smiled. “We’re ready,” I said.
Zac nodded. “More than ready.”
“All right,” the preacher announced, grinning at our guests. “Let’s begin … again.”
Epilogue
Clara
TEN MONTHS LATER
* * *
“Happy birthday, Clara,” Zac murmured, kissing me behind my ear. “Are you going to stand out here all night?”
It was August in Wyoming. There weren’t going to be too many more warm days once the winter came. We’d talked about spending the winters in North Carolina, but I didn’t want to do that while my dad was still in treatment.
Zac handed me a bottle of water and I took a sip. Not only was it my birthday, but it was my father’s as well, only his was two days ago. The past ten months were a whirlwind with his cancer. Not long after the wedding, he had a PET scan done and it showed the cancer had spread. It was a dark time for our family, but his oncologist put him on a different chemo. Just a couple of weeks ago, he had another PET scan done and nothing had spread. In fact, one of his tumors had shrunk. It was good news that we really needed. Luckily, he was in good spirits and living his life as best he could.
“You about ready to go inside and eat?” Zac asked.
I glanced through our windows at everyone inside. His parents were in there and so were mine, taking their turns holding our daughter, Avery. Drew and Lena were inside as well with their own little bundle of joy; they named him Tucker. Lena and I had already said they’d get married one day. Wouldn’t that be something?
Zac turned me to face him. “Clara, you okay?”
I set my glass of water down on the patio table so I could wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m more than okay,” I said, staring at the man I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with. “I’m just so happy right now. I have a beautiful daughter, an amazing husband, and a wonderful family. I don’t think I can ask for much else.”
He smiled. “We got lucky. If we never came into town at the exact time who knows if things would be the way they are now.”
I shrugged. “It was fate. We were meant to be here together. Although, I don’t think cleaning up horse poop was supposed to be part of it.”
Zac burst out laughing. “Maybe not, but it sure was funny as hell watching your ass fall in it. Just think of all the stories we get to tell Avery.” He bent down and kissed my stomach. “And to this little guy when he gets here.”
We’d just found out we were having a boy in February, due on Valentine’s Day. He was going to be a heartbreaker like his father. Zac stood back up and kissed me, his lips gentle and sweet.
“What are we going to name our son?” he asked.
Tears welled up in my eyes when I looked inside at my father holding Avery. He always had a way of making Avery smile. That was when it hit me. I knew what I wanted to name to son. “Alexander,” I whispered. “After my father.” I met Zac’s gaze and smiled. “Alexander Zachary Ward. We can name him after both of you.”
Zac cupped my cheeks. “I love it. Your father will, too.”
My stomach growled. “We can tell him tonight. Now let’s go inside and eat. I’m ready for some birthday cake.”
Draping his arm over my shoulders, Zac chuckled. “I’ll save mine for later. That buttercream will taste mighty yummy off a certain part of your body.”
“Happy birthday to me.” Just the thought excited me. Got to love pregnancy hormones.
Zac kissed the side of my head. “I love you, Clara.”
We stopped at the door and I looked up at him. “And I love you. I can’t wait to see where our future takes us.”
He brushed his thumb across my lips. “Me too. As long as I have you and our babies, there’s nothing else I need. You’re my everything.”
A tear fell down my cheek. “And you’re mine. Always.”
* * *
THE END
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything's sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it's with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that's why she's seriously addicted to chocolate.
Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children's book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she's also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you'll never see her without a smile on her face.
Other Books by L.P. Dover
SECOND CHANCES SERIES
* * *
Love’s Second Chance
* * *
Trusting You
* * *
What He Wants (Trusting You Prequel)
* * *
Meant for Me
* * *
Fighting for Love
* * *
Intercepting Love
* * *
Catching Summer
* * *
Defending Hayden
* * *
Last Chance
* * *
Intended for Bristol
* * *
ARMED & DANGEROUS SERIES
* * *
No Limit
* * *
Roped In
* * *
High-Sided
* * *
CIRCLE OF JUSTICE SERIES
&n
bsp; * * *
Trigger
* * *
Target
* * *
Aim
* * *
In the Crossfire
* * *
ARMED & DANGEROUS/CIRCLE OF JUSTICE CROSSOVER SERIES
* * *
Dangerous Game
* * *
Dangerous Betrayals
* * *
Book 3 - TBD
* * *
Book 4 – TBD
* * *
GLOVES OFF SERIES
* * *
A Fighter’s Desire – Part One
* * *
A Fighter’s Desire – Part Two
* * *
Tyler’s Undoing
